In response to the increasing pressure of the Soviet offensive to take Karachev and sever the rail link between Briansk and Orel, Panzer Division Großdeutschland was shifted to the region northwest of Orel. To foil the Soviet plans, the division was split into several Kampfgruppe and sent into villages in the forest to the northeast of Karachev. July 28th saw the initial test of the newly established German positions. The Soviets, with the aid of heavy artillery support, managed to take Alisovo, but ran into stiff resistance from elements of Großdeutschland at Kusmenkovo.
Attacker: Russian (31st Guards Infantry Division)
Defender: German (Bataillon II, Panzergrenadier Regiment Großdeutschland, Panzer Grenadier Division Großdeutschland)
6.5 turns
Players: 2 OBA: None Night: No
Unit Counts:
Squads: A:12.0 D:10.0
AFVs: A:4
T-34 M43 x 4
AFVs: D:1
StuG IIIG
Guns: A:0 D:1
7.5cm PaK 40 5cm leGrW 36
Misc Rules:
Bd 37 Woods/Roads: Paths, Bldgs: Wooden, Cellars: NA
An interesting scenario. Russians have a constricted approach, and need to press the Germans. But the Germans have a couple of tools to deal this with push. High quality troops on both sides allow for good maneuver options, especially as the Germans don't have PF yet. I even got to place Russian infantry smoke for the first time ever!
The 3 options for victory with a CVP cap also make this interesting.
Phil had a good set up to make the restricted approach very painful. I was worried about being able to make progress until almost the entire eastern flank in the woods side of the village broke. Despite having proper rout options, the 9-1 didn't rally with 4 tries. I got lucky with some very aggressive maneuver and was able to bag many prisoners for the CVP win.
Tight.
2024-05-30
(A) Paolo Cariolato
vs
Federico Corso
Russian win
It took me 3 turns to get into the right position, On the forth turn I let loose the dogs of war. My tanks freezed german stacks (3 of them) his GUN did nothing, then the infantry pushed, 1 DC placed and I was able to send I squad in his backyard. He quickly lost 3,5 squads to Failure to rout. On his 4th turn he broke the GUN while the Stug try to get into position. Unfortunately for him on my 5th turn I CH his GUN and vaporizede it getting to 19 CVP while one of mine T34 got into the back of his TD and dispatched it with a CH.
The scenario ended here but the situation was not so bright at the beginning of my 4th turn, mine was a desperate move because if I had played it safely he would have put into better position his infantry and the reinforcement would have closed any possible exit strategy. VC are very hard on Russian that cannot risk his precious tanks (he need them to exit) but the terrain is horrible and the exit area easily defended. Basically you cannot plan to win on CVP if the German doesn't stand and fight because you basically need to wipe our almost his entire OOB. So you need to exit those points but it's really hard. Plan accordingly.
Remember that ground and level -1 hex adjacent to a marsh are BOG hexes for AFVs.
This is a classic on forest warfare and it's highly advised to be played.
2023-04-09
(D) Andy Bagley
vs
Alessandro Demichelis
Russian win
I can understand why some people report this scenario as an exciting bloodbath. Unfortunately in this game the blood was all mine (German). Started OK with my AT Gun taking out a T34, but that was it. Missed all its other shots, my StuG missed a point-blank shot and was promptly despatched, both my DCs and both daisy chains were ineffective, and I failed several PAATCs (even the one that needed 9 or less). So the other 3 Russian tanks strolled unhindered round the back of my defenders, cutting rout paths and encircling me with point-blank fire. I had nothing left to stop the Russian hordes, so conceded at the and of Turn 5. Very well played by my opponent though.
2022-12-28
(A) Dave Mareske
vs
Rex Loewen
Russian win
After breaking two MA, the Russian attack solidified and was able to push the Germans out of the village taking all building in Turn 6 and leaving the Germans very little to counter-attack. The German AT gun was fairly forward and only got off two shots before being overwhelmed by other tanks and infantry.
2022-08-21
(D) Kevin Duval
vs
Dwayne Duval
Russian win
German defenders got steam rolled to edge of the exit area & the re-enforcements were quickly wiped out whilst trying a desperate counter attack.
